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Montreal Canadiens: Jesperi Kotkaniemi is soaring at development camp

By Omar L

BROSSARD, QC - JUNE 29: Look pn Montreal Canadiens Prospect Centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi (47) during the Montreal Canadiens Development Camp on June 29, 2018, at Bell Sports Complex in Brossard, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BROSSARD, QC - JUNE 29: Look pn Montreal Canadiens Prospect Centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi (47) during the Montreal Canadiens Development Camp on June 29, 2018, at Bell Sports Complex in Brossard, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Montreal Canadiens completed the second day of development camp that allowed fans to learn more about Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

With the on and off-ice testing finished, it was time to get to work at development camp. The future of the Montreal Canadiens geared up and took to the ice partially lead by newly appointed Laval Rocket head coach Jöel Bouchard.

What was nice to see was seeing top prospects Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Ryan Poehling together for parts of it. Both are the organization’s answer to centres in the future who hope to leave a strong impact on the developmental staff.

Fans also learned some new things about Kotkaniemi and Poehling. The 2018 first-round pick told media that ‘Kotka’ in Kotkaniemi means eagle and that’s his nickname in Finland. Not bad of a tag to go along with the eventual talent once his time comes to make the NHL.

Poehling, on the other hand, reaffirmed his desire to return to St. Cloud State next year. This was already confirmed through him in an interview with Le Journal de Montreal. The 19-year-old added more to it saying:

"I can’t leave those guys, and with [senior defenseman] Jimmy Schuldt staying, we’ve got the main core group staying together. I think we have a great shot at winning the title next year. I think that’s the biggest thing for me, bringing St. Cloud it’s first-ever national title."

There are a lot of things to love about that quote. Additionally, time is on Montreal’s side, and they can’t afford to rush prospects along. With two more days left in development camp, it’ll be interesting to see who stands out next.

Next: New Price for O'Reilly

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